Protection and Information (part 1)

I looked into the small open s.p.a.ce a little ways away from the gap in the trees that I watched from.

A group of approximately 20 people were taking a break there.

About ten boys and girls were wearing school uniforms.

In addition to that, the rest were soldiers dressed in the same full-body armor and in a similarly-sized group as the soldiers who attacked as ghouls, the soldiers resting while still paying attention to the surroundings.

“……So, students and the people of this world huh?”

I expected to run into one or the other, but to run into them when they’re together…

To be honest, this development is a little unexpected.

However, the surprise itself isn’t very big. This is because the situation is plausible enough if I think about it.

“It looks like other people have come in contact with this world’s residents before us”

“It seems so”

I chimed in on Lily’s words.

What I should pay attention to now is what kind of position the soldiers are in and what kind of relations.h.i.+p they have with the students who came from the same world as me.

In other words, it reveals what kind of relations.h.i.+p we can build. In that sense, the amount of information obtained by observation increases, so this unexpected situation is more convenient for us.

“Master, I think that they are probably a part of the『Stay Behind Group』.”  

Pulling the hem of my clothes Lily drew my attention.

“After all, if they were cheat-users from the 『Scouting Corps』, everyone shouldn’t have such a tired looking face”  

She said and when I looked to confirm, it seems so. While I can’t see much of their facial expressions due to being too far away, a lot of the boys that are around the same age as me seem dead tired.

“Survivors from after the colony collapsed?”

It’s the students who are in the same situation as Kato-san; unaware of their own cheat ability.

First of all I am surprised that this many had survived. Also, although only small, I came to be aware of a feeling of relief that filled my chest.

That there are people who survived. I am relieved at that fact.

This part is same as what happened with Kaga.

I still can’t believe in humans and I don’t think that I want to dare joining them without a purpose in doing so either. My priorities are clear with Lily and the others at top, and I will not forgive those that oppose us.

However, having said that, I doubt I’m going to end up thinking so destructively as to believe that everyone should just die.

While it might be a half-a.s.sed opinion, I think that it’s fine like that.

Living is much better than dying.

That kind of thinking that everyone seems to have is still alive within me.

I believe that this kind of thought process is important. Because, after all, if I lose my feelings as a person, I would probably end up eventually thinking of Lily and the others the same as I would a tool.

“……But, they did well surviving through that.”

Anyway now’s not the time to be immersed in such sentiments.

As if she could see through everything that I was just thinking about, Lily came to face me.

“I’m sure they have held their breath and have lived in this forest in hiding until now. At some point during that they were put under the protection of these soldiers.”

“If that is true, they must have had considerable luck and have been led by an excellent leader.”

“Perhaps, they were protected by a cheat user. There’s no way that the Scouting Corps that remained behind in the colony would have been annihilated.”

“Aah there was such a possibility.”

I continued observing them while talking with Lily.

In the open s.p.a.ce, several students who still had some energy left talked to each other and seemed to converse with the soldiers as well. Due to the distance I couldn’t hear their voices, but at least I don’t see any abuse.

At this point, the danger from contact with them doesn’t seems to be too high.

If so… For example, yes. Would it be possible to ask them for guidance to a human settlement of some kind?

If so, what should I do to get to that ends?

Although if necessary it would be okay to wait for the next opportunity, wherever possible, I don’t want to make any mistakes.

I absolutely wanted to know information concerning what circ.u.mstances led to those students cooperating with this world’s soldiers. If I could get that information then there would be room for negotiation.

Or there is the option of following them as it is. Even they wouldn’t wander in this forest eternally.  When following them while hiding, we should naturally arrive at a village.

“What should we do, Master?”

“… For now, let’s make it so that it would be okay for us to come into contact with them at any time.”

It would be best to take measures, such that no matter where the chips fall we would be prepared. Preparations for this have already been made in advance.

I quickly removed the s.h.i.+rt made by Gerbera, and put on the undergarments that I had just recently had Rose work on.

And I put the jersey on top.

This was the first preparation.

I intend to conceal my ability to lead monsters, but if I do that then the first problem would be my clothes. Because if I’m wearing Gerbera’s work as before, there is a possibility that metastasisers like me may suspect the source.

But with that being the case, just wearing a jersey for defense would make me nervous in a dangerous situation.

And so to solve that problem, I got these undergarments that I had Rose prepare. This can be worn under the jersey, and has a reasonable degree of defense.

I further wrapped a slim cloth prepared by Gerbera around my left arm.

Naturally this is to hide Asarina who grew on the back of my left hand.

“Goshu, sama! Sama!”

“Sorry, for making you feel cramped.”

“Sama!”

Because it’s a cloth woven with Gerbera’s spider thread, it also has a reasonably high defense. In addition to that on my left arm there’s still the remains of the burn marks from the encounter with the Balloon Foxes. So it wasn’t unnatural for it to be wrapped in a bandage.

“Next is the sword.”

As with the clothes, there’s also the possibility of suspicion in the『Pseudo Damascus Steel Sword』.

Therefore I was also prepared for this.

I had Rose prepare a blade facade resembling a normal Magical Puppet sword.

In short the sheath was camouflaged to look like a wooden sword.   

The plan is that by fitting the『Pseudo Damascus Steel Sword』in this, it would look like it is just a normal Magical Puppet-made sword.　

……Although it’s easy to say, of course it is only possible if you have Rose’s ability to prepare such things.

As it seemed like she hadn’t thought of using this kind of trick, she looked utterly impressed by my request.

I still recall the uncomfortable feeling due to being praised by her.

For Rose, making things is, in the end, just part of her nature, and while it might be something that a modern person accustomed to books, manga, games, etc. like me could come up with on the spot, here it might seem like the invention of the century.

Moreover, the plan that I conveyed somewhat visually, had several amendments made to it the next day, but even so, it doesn’t seem feasible in terms of applicability and plausibility.

Anyway, since the usual equipment in the colony were the weapons gained from defeating the Magical Puppets, it shouldn’t seem suspicious as long as it’s disguised. Similar coating was applied to Rose’s meticulously made black s.h.i.+eld.

I also didn’t forget to make my clothes and body suitably dirty. This is because it would be unnatural to be too clean.

I put the backpack I got from Kaga on my back, without forgetting to put the keepsake ring from the soldier who became a ghoul in the pocket of the my jersey. The preparations are complete.

Lily and Kato-san who accompanied me also finished their preparations and we again returned to the monitoring of the humans.

“Still, they have taken quite a long break.”

“I think they are considering the weakened students”

“Perhaps  Well it’s fine. During that time, let’s try to do everything we can manage.”

We also made effective use of this time and have made a few plans for future actions.

The situation changed after dozens of minutes pa.s.sed since we first found them.

“A new member?”

A group of about ten soldiers came from the other side of the path.

The direction they came from was the same as us, the South . While they were all marching down in foot, they were moving at such a pace that it was hard to believe they were equipped with plate armor

They joined the group that were originally resting in the clearing. I thought that they were taking a unusually long break, but apparently they were waiting for the other group to catch up.

“……Hmm?”

I noticed that there was one heavily-armed soldier in dull-colored armor with a black banding pattern on a white background.

Several soldiers are greeting him. They seemed to have received instructions. Perhaps he is a leader of this group.

I was watching him while thinking and was startled shortly after.

He moved his head, covered by a white helmet, around, as if he were looking for something, and as I thought that, his gaze stopped on us.

But that is impossible. He couldn’t have been able to see us.

We’re a considerable distance away and are hiding in the bushes as an additional precaution. Even if we are able to see them in the clearing ahead, they should be no way for them to see us……

However, my prior judgment was overturned at once.

“Who are you!”

A voice of challenge rang out through the forest, leaving me with a stabbing feeling in my heart, causing me to shrink back.  

“We were found …… !?”

I thought that it was ridiculous/impossible, but it would seem that the soldier leader was convinced that we were here. While facing us, he unsheathed the sword that hung at his waist.

“Everyone, watch out! There is something targeting us!”

The clear voice rang out through the forest, sounded young, almost childish. Perhaps he is that same age as me, maybe even younger.

The warning he declared incited a fl.u.s.ter of hurried movements about the clearing.  

The people, who like us, traveled from another world, let out a scream and gathered together in one location while the soldiers created a protective perimeter around them.

The encirclement was completed immediately.  

It appears to be a defense oriented formation. This is probably because many of the students would become a burden.  

Fortunately for us it doesn’t seem like they will raise their swords and come charging at us any time soon, but that won’t necessarily be the case forever.

Lily who was watching the clearing while sticking to my arms hugged them slightly tighter.

“What should we do, master?”

“…Since we’ve been discovered it doesn’t look like we have a choice but to come out.”

Unfortunately with this, tailing them to a human village is no longer a viable choice.

The other option — I could’ve negotiated with them to have them take us to a human village and I would be able to gather information on them. However, this can’t be helped either. Let’s give up.

I would have had to make the decision eventually, and this just means that now is the time to do it. We just have to prepare for the worst.

“There seems to be fellow cla.s.smate there, that should be enough for negotiations.”

Of course, the worst case scenario is that they will turn their swords on us.

Although we are fellow students, they won’t necessarily accept us.  

In the strategy meeting we already decided for Gerbera to swoop in if things take a turn for the worse. I think Gerbera can easily defeat the enemy, but we will focus on causing a disruption and escaping at once. Rose would be in charge of the escape route.   

At this point, I tell the others that I will stay behind.   

“Rose, Gerbera. It’ll only be for a short time, but this is goodbye. Do everything as discussed in the meeting ”

“Understood. I pray for your safety.”

“Please guard my lord, Ayame.”

Rose lowered her head and Ayame stroked by Gerbera peeked her nose out and crawled back into the s.p.a.ce under Lily’s jersey.

Now the preparations for departure are complete.

I review the situation one last time, to confirm that there aren’t any oversights.

No matter how wary I am, you can never be too cautious. For my family I cannot die, I must stay alive so that they can also live longer.  

Therefore I’ve planned in advance, and have made preparation as well. All that is left is for me to do my best here and now.

“…Alright, let’s go.”

Yeah. I think that’s all there is to it.

But perfect preparation is impossible. No matter what oversights are a possibility.  It is already an inevitability.  

One of these accidents is occurring now.

“Kato-san?”

Behind, Rose gave a suspicious voice.

I caught sight of the figure of Kato-san who remained standing in the place when I reflexively looked back to see if something was wrong.

As I said before, she was going to meet them with us. However, after taking the first step, she had stopped walking for some reason.

“A, e……？”

Why is it? The person herself seems to not understanding the reason, as well. A strange voice leaked out of the girl’s throat.

Soon it was filled with panting that seemed to be painful.

Kato-san’s face that was looking at me was pale.

No. It is different.

I immediately noticed my misunderstanding.

Kato-san was not watching me. She had become frozen, staring over my shoulder at the people we planned to make contact with.

“……Ah”

The body of Kato-san leaks a small scream, she is unexpectedly shaking.

“Kato-san!”

Rose, who noticed her strange behavior first, caught the small body from behind as she was ready to collapse.

Whether something had happened to her body or not, Kato-san’s state was clearly unusual.  

The whole body was trembling, the breathing was irregular, and was blinking unnaturally. It seemed that she was somehow trying to get up, but she had already lost all power in her legs.

Presently she looked like a snowflake that would break if moved even a little.

Was it a seizure caused by some disease? ……No. The timing is wrong for it to be that.

If anything it looked like Kato-san was on the verge of panic.

Fear, panic, depression. There is none of her usual intelligent figure there.

Why is this kind of……… As soon as I thought that I remembered what Kato-san saw just before she was on the verge of collapse.  

A large group of people. In particular, men who account for more than half of them.

As for a reason for the abnormality, There is nothing easier to understand.

After Kato-san had come to this world, she had an extremely traumatic experience.  

Even if she was frightened at this stage, there is nothing wrong with it, it could even be said to be predictable as the natural thing to do.

Then, why could I not predict this happening?

To begin with, Kato-san herself didn’t even expect this.

It’s a simple thing. Kato-san has never shown such an att.i.tude to me for anything so far, not even once.

“So r…… rr, y. Sen, pai.”

I couldn’t recognize this little girl that was so fragile as to be trembling like this.

She wasn’t afraid me nor frightened by me either. Because she was okay with me, I thought there wouldn’t be a problem with other people either —in fact, I never even doubted whether or not there would be a problem with this.  

After seeing her like this, thinking back, her condition up until now was much stranger.

Why was she okay with me…. No. Now is not the time to be thinking about such things.

Cutting off my thoughts I confirmed Kato-san’s condition.

The girl was looking more flushed, even her lips began to go purple. She isn’t even breathing correctly.

I can’t leave it like this.

“Rose.”

I gazed at Rose who was embracing Kato-san.

“I’d like you to take Kato-san and leave this place immediately.”

I have to calm Kato-san down as soon as possible.

To do that it was necessary to first move her from this place.

It seemed reasonable to entrust Rose with moving Kato, who is currently unable to walk. Since Rose is a friend, Kato san would be able to feel more at ease, so I could leave her to Rose.

“Accepted.”

Rose quickly responded.

She held onto the trembling Kato san very carefully as if she were handling a broken object

Rose will take Kato-san as she is. Naturally Kato-san can no longer accompany us, but this is something that is no longer in our control.

“So, so r, rry…… Senpai. I’m …..sorry.”

Kato-san apologizes in delirious words, but blaming her for this is pointless.  

“Don’t worry. This level of support isn’t a problem.”

“Senpai……”